Women take pride in wearing full makeup in Dubai: Nina Ubhi

Dubai-based Londoner Nina Ubhi has been working in the makeup industry for over 15 years now. It was love at first sight for Nina when she first set foot in the city. She always wanted to move base to the UAE because, for her, Dubai is the makeup capital of the world. She loves the way women take pride in wearing full makeup over here. Nina will be hosting a makeup master class in Dubai on January 14.
The beauty expert wants to make Dubai her permanent base because she knows how much the UAE market values the beauty industry. "I feel Dubai is more of a home for me than London is. I have been in London all my life. Three years back my husband and I got married here. Before that, I used to go back and forth all the time. I always knew from a very young age that I wanted to live here. We got married in Dubai and he thankfully loved the city as well. He saw how important Dubai was for me and said, let's move there.
"We are here to stay and not just for a short period. I don't know what it is but I feel more comfortable here than I have ever felt in the UK. I don't know if that is something to do with the industry as well. Some people say that the makeup capital of the world is London but for me the makeup capital of the world is Dubai. I feel that beauty is such a big thing out there."

'Women take pride in wearing full makeup in Dubai'
With the rise of a number of beauty stores and their franchises in Dubai, the beauty industry is indeed one of the biggest markets in the UAE. "I feel like people don't realise how massive the beauty market is out here. I love that everywhere you go in Dubai, you see people with a full face of makeup. Women take pride in the way they look here. That's why I love it so much out here. People don't realise how accepting Dubai is of that. I feel there are far more successful women that I see here than anywhere else."

It is important to have fun while you labour
Nina started her career with an airline but eventually quit her job when she realised that the beauty industry was her thing. She always loved her contouring skills that gives any face an ultimate face-lift effect.
   "Things become a lot easier if you love your job. I quit my travel job and decided to go freelance and it was a big risk because I didn't have any training. I am completely self-taught. My parents weren't backing me at that point. They didn't felt that the makeup industry was professional. It was quite hard because they never stopped me from doing anything.
   "My grandmother supported me the most. She said, 'If you are going to start this, I am going to help you by buying you your first makeup kit. But I want you to prove to everyone that you can do this and you will never quit.' It was a small box and I still have that at home. That stayed with me and I never quit. I have been doing this for so many years," said Nina while talking to City Times.

What is Nina's makeup masterclass all about?
My workshops has three different available options - one for beginners, the second for anyone who is thinking of starting a career in the makeup industry and the third one is a professional workshop  for those who want to be professional makeup artists.
This workshop teaches them everything including the business side - not just the practical and the creative side.
Why the beauty industry is recession proof
The beauty industry is massive in Dubai and it is only growing. I would never leave this place. I do feel that the beauty industry compared to the fashion industry is way ahead. During recession, the only industry that survives in the beauty industry, as far as I know. Women can go without having to buy new clothes but they always want to look good and attractive.  
Must haves in every woman's bag:
Eyebrows  pencil: If you get good medium brown eyebrow pencils, you can keep that in your bag all the time. You can use it for your eyebrows in case you need it; you can also use it as a kajal.
Concealer: You never know when it comes off.
Lipstick: I think you should personally keep two lipsticks in your bag - one bright and one nude.
Blush: To add that fresh glow to your face
Important beauty tips every woman must follow
Remove your makeup: Take off your makeup every night. I am actually surprised how many women don't take off their makeup at the end of the night. When I say take it off, I spend a good fifteen minutes every night on my skin care routine. Because I always wear makeup when I am working. My face is my biggest advertiser so for me it important to wear makeup, so people look at me and think that they trust me doing their makeup. Exfoliate your skin and clean it properly.
Moisturise: You need a good moisturiser in the evening because you have to let your skin soak up all the moisture.
Common makeup mistakes women commit
Not enough blending: People need to blend a lot more. The mistake they make is they assume that when you apply, you blend all at the same time. If you make this small change, you will be astonished by the results.
Eyebrows: If your eyebrows are going to be bold then you should have heavier eyes because it needs balancing.
 
Eyebrows are the new black
Everyone has great eyebrows in Dubai. I always see a very generic Dubai style eyebrow. It is very lifted and there is not much of an arch. Even if you don't have naturally good eyebrows, you can create them through the right products.
arti@khaleejtimes.com